Improving the number of inpatient falls by introducing inpatient falls risk assessment by doctors in geriatric wards.
Introduction Inpatient falls remain a major healthcare challenge, with an average rate of 6.6 per 1,000 occupied bed-days in NHS England and Wales hospitals. Prevention of falls during hospital stay based on identifying and managing the modifiable risks are challenging. Multifactorial falls risk assessment and prevention action plan (MFRA FPAP) is a proforma booklet adopted by ABUHB. Methodology The initial QIP (2022–2024) revealed incomplete and poor-quality MFRA. Falls champions were introduced for a period of time, it showed an improvement, but was not sustained. Due to a rise in in-patient
Quality Improvement Project on Collateral History Taking For Geriatric Patients at a District General Hospital in South Wales
Silent Epidemic Undermining healthy Ageing
Introduction Sarcopenia, a progressive and generalised skeletal muscle disorder involving the accelerated loss of muscle mass and function, is a significant geriatric syndrome associated with numerous adverse health outcomes, including increased falls, frailty, disability, hospitalisations, and mortality. Despite its high prevalence, particularly in older adults, sarcopenia often remains under diagnosed in routine clinical practice, especially in outpatient settings where early detection and intervention are crucial for preventing progression and improving patient quality of life. Method 1
Frailty Nexus: Community of practice for frailty researchers and healthcare professionals
Background: There has been success in implementing frailty education for healthcare professionals, but there remains a need to improve the knowledge and skills of researchers and healthcare professionals to develop, implement and evaluate frailty-focused research. This paper describes how the Australian Frailty Network developed and evaluated a virtual community of practice (VCOP), a proven model for fostering knowledge mobilisation, to support researchers and healthcare professionals in advancing frailty research and practice in Australia. Methods: A survey of prospective members sought to
Atypical Legionella pneumonia in Geriatric Practice: Diagnostic complexity and domestic hot tub as source of infection.
Deep Vein Thrombosis Data Analysis
Implementing a care home-specific falls service in Lambeth and Southwark
Introduction: Falls are common in people living in care homes (CHs). London Ambulance Service (LAS) data indicated four out of the ten London CHs with the highest conveyance to hospital were in Lambeth and Southwark. Secondary care and community services were unable to provide prompt consultation and address educational needs of staff required to prevent and manage CH falls. Method: The Lambeth and Southwark CH Falls Prevention group was established in 2022 by local care partnerships to explore ways to improve the approach to falls. Following an audit of falls-related service gaps, a Care Home
An overview of the Dementia UK Consultant Admiral Nurse service supporting families affected by frailty and dementia
Abstract Content: Introduction: Emerging and increasing frailty often goes unidentified, and families living with dementia and frailty are missing vital opportunities to receive the right support at the right time. People living with frailty are less able to adapt to stress factors such as acute illness, injury, or changes in their environment, personal or social circumstances, leading to adverse health outcomes and an earlier loss of independence. Method: We have developed a unique and innovative National frailty Consultant Admiral Nurse service to address this concern. This service was
An overview of the Dementia UK Consultant Admiral Nurse service supporting families affected by frailty and dementia
Abstract Content: Introduction: Emerging and increasing frailty often goes unidentified, and families living with dementia and frailty are missing vital opportunities to receive the right support at the right time. People living with frailty are less able to adapt to stress factors such as acute illness, injury, or changes in their environment, personal or social circumstances, leading to adverse health outcomes and an earlier loss of independence. Method: We have developed a unique and innovative National frailty Consultant Admiral Nurse service to address this concern. This service was
Frailty and Physical Health Consultant Admiral Nurse service
Abstract Content : Introduction: Emerging and increasing frailty often goes unidentified, and families living with dementia and frailty are missing vital opportunities to receive the right support at the right time. People living with frailty are less able to adapt to stress factors such as acute illness, injury, or changes in their environment, personal or social circumstances, leading to adverse health outcomes and an earlier loss of independence. Method: We have developed a unique and innovative National frailty Consultant Admiral Nurse service to address this concern. This service was
Accessing Healthcare for Parkinson's Disease in Kilimanjaro Region, Tanzania: A Challenge for Health Equity
Understanding patient experience on the Older Person's Acute Medical Unit (OPAMU) and the acute frailty pathway at UHW.
Introduction: The older population are more likely to suffer from chronic diseases, requiring more frequent hospital admissions, therefore, in University Hospital of Wales there is a dedicated Older Persons Acute Medical Unit (OPAMU). The OPAMU, opened in 2023, admits frail patients directly from the Emergency (ED) and Acute Medicine (AM) Departments for comprehensive geriatric assessment before discharge or onward hospital stay. Main objective: To understand how our patients felt throughout different steps of their journey to the OPAMU. Secondary objective: To assess how the patient
Fall circumstances in the home environment in people with Parkinson’s disease: An exploration of walking aid users.
INTRODUCTION In the recent falls guidelines, multidomain interventions are recommended for people with Parkinson’s disease (PwPD)[1]. Walking aids improve local balance and stability, increase confidence and reduce mechanical effort associated with walking[2], however walking aid use is associated with recurrent falls in PD[3]. This study aimed to understand pre-fall activity and environmental fall risk in fallers and the differences associated with walking aid use. METHODS An online survey was developed to evaluate retrospective falls in adults ≥60y. 117 PwPD responded to the survey. The
Systematic review of studies investigating shared decision making prior to potential emergency surgery for frail/older patients
Atypical Presentation of Guillain-Barré Syndrome with Preceding Severe Hyponatremia
Assessing IV Cannula Use: An Audit on Reducing Unnecessary Prolongation and Associated Risks
Bone health assessment practices in older patients and patients with a lower limb amputation on a regional vascular surgery ward
Improving Advance Care Planning Completion in Primary Care
Introduction Advance care planning (ACP) is a patient-centred discussion involving the patient, family, and healthcare professional to ensure future care aligns with patient wishes. In Wales, this includes two recognised documents for those with capacity, and a best interests form for those without, completed by a Lasting Power of Attorney or IMCA. ACPs in the elderly population have been shown to enhance quality of life, communication, and reduce unwanted hospital admissions. This project aimed to improve ACP completion in primary care. Method Forty-one residents, who were registered to Roath
Vision screening in older adults who attend hospital following a fall: a scoping review.
Introduction: The assessment of impaired vision is included in falls prevention guidance for older adults but implementation is variable. We conducted a scoping review to better understand current practice and inform future implementation research around vision assessments for older adults attending acute hospitals following a fall. Methods: JBI methodology was followed. MEDLINE, AMED, EMBASE, PsychInfo, CINAHL and WebofScience were systematically searched for literature on the assessment of vision in older adults attending acute hospitals following a fall. Sources eligible for inclusion had a
Barriers perceived by medical students when considering a career in geriatric medicine.
Introduction Despite the UK’s increasing life expectancy, and increase in the elderly population, there is an overwhelming lack of Geriatricians in the UK; as of 2022, there is only 1 consultant Geriatrician per 8,031 individuals over the age of 65 (BGS, 2023). To meet the complex care needs of this population, there must be a focus on increasing the interest that doctors have towards Geriatric Medicine, with the overall aim being to recruit more doctors into the speciality. Method The aim of this review was to investigate what factors medical students perceive as barriers to pursuing a career